facebookHi all, what’s the difference between Singapore Savings Bond and ABF Singapore Bond? Is one more risky than the other? - Seedly

Anonymous

30 May 2020

General Investing

Hi all, what’s the difference between Singapore Savings Bond and ABF Singapore Bond? Is one more risky than the other?

Thanks!

Discussion (5)

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It's true that ABF Singapore bond fund tracks multiple bonds including Singapore government bonds, and especially so. It has ~90% Singapore government holdings, which means it is very similar to SSB.

Image below is ABF Singapore bond fund's holdings

Perhaps there are different class of Singapore bonds hence the different return, but maybe because ABF Singapore bond fund bought these longer tenure bonds which is giving out higher returns as compared to current bonds due to the global deflation interest rates.

From how I see it, SSB you are buying 100% current Singapore bonds, and ABF Singapore bond fund you are buying 90% existing Singapore bonds.

Please let me know if I am getting this right, as it's also my first time looking at the both of them. Thanks!

Update: Did some further digging and, based on this 2017 article ABF was holding ~90% of Singapore government, or quasi government bonds in 2017 as well. Which means that is is consistently holding high grade bonds belonging to SG gov.​​​

Lin Yun Heng

30 May 2020

Senior Analyst at Delphi

Singapore Savings Bond is govt backed and has principal protection. It is issued every month by the SG government and is like a fixed deposit. ABF Singapore Bond is an ETF and traded on the stock market and consist of a basket of investment grade bonds. Both are bonds however ABF will be slightly riskier due to it's ETF nature (buying and selling on the stock market)

Elijah Lee

24 May 2020

Senior Financial Services Manager at Phillip Securities (Jurong East)

Hi anon,

The SSB is capital guaranteed by the government and you will always be able to get your ca...

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